After a moribund conclusion to the previous campaign, the writing was on the wall for Rodgers and Liverpool’s fortunes were not deemed to have improved sufficiently for owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) to stand by their man.

In the battle of two promoted sides, Bournemouth will be looking to recover from the crushing news that star striker, Callum Wilson, will be out for 6 months, becoming the third Cherries player to suffer a cruciate ligament injury this season.

The question then seemed to be how soon Manuel Pellegrini’s team might blow away all comers domestically, and if this was to be the year they finally became a true challenger in the Champions League. However, he would hope this is the only embarrassment he suffers.